Clay County deputies expand search for suspect who tried to drag deputy & officer with car

LIBERTY, Mo. — Authorities will resume their search for a man who is accused of dragging a deputy with his truck and also injuring a Liberty police officer Wednesday after fleeing from a traffic stop. Investigators say they will follow leads Thursday morning from family and friends of the suspect to help locate him.
Investigators say around 2 p.m. the deputy pulled a man over for a traffic stop. As the deputy and police officer got to the vehicle, the suspect took off in a white Ford F-150 pickup and dragged the deputy and officer, but investigators say dash cam video of the man’s truck combined with information he gave them when he was pulled over have helped police figure out who he is.
Police quickly found the abandoned truck in the Claywoods subdivision, but no suspect.
So canines, cops and the Missouri Highway Patrol searched for the man and told people to stay in their homes and lock the doors. As it was all happening, children were getting out of school.
The sheriff`s office says at this point since they weren`t able to find him, they are pretty sure he must have got a ride out of the neighborhood and are looking elsewhere. That isn’t exactly comforting for the people living out here, though.
“I`m not going to lie it`s going to be pretty scary going to bed tonight, just wondering maybe if he`s lurking around somewhere, and he didn`t get in a car,” said neighbor Mandy Smith.
Clay County Sheriff’s office tweeted Wednesday evening that both the deputy and officer are okay. FOX 4 will continue to follow developments with the story, and provide updates about further searches or an arrest as the information is given.
The suspect is described as a white male in his 20s who was last seen wearing a gray and orange hooded sweatshirt with blue jeans. Anyone who believes they know where the suspect is, is asked to call 911.